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20
Day 36 of the Offensive

Saturday, 20 January 1945

Improving conditions; white-out period ending; below freezing with icy roads; Allied air operations resumed with 166 bombers dispatched.

Day thirty-six of the Ardennes campaign. Hitler ordered the SS Panzer Divisions to shift promptly to the Eastern Front due to Soviet breakthroughs in East Prussia. The 5. Panzerarmee was to assume command of the 6. SS-Panzerarmee’s sector after 22 January. German forces prepared to defend the ruins of St. Vith.

The Front Line — Saturday, 20 January 1945
Traced from: U.S. 12th Army Group, Situation Maps, 1200 hrs daily, 16 Dec 1944 – 25 Jan 1945. Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, G5701.S5 (LoC ict21195–ict21235). Approximate positions; interpolated between key dates.

The 7th Armored Division launched an attack to secure the high ground north of St. Vith. The 30th Infantry Division pushed within four miles of St. Vith with light resistance. The weather began to improve, ending the white-out period and allowing Allied air operations to resume, with the 9th Air Force dispatching 166 bombers against rear area targets.

Northern Shoulder
Elsenborn Ridge
V Corps did not attack on this day. The 75th Infantry Division continued clearing woods, advancing up to two miles against scattered resistance.
Salm River
The 82nd Airborne Division remained in reserve while the XVIII Airborne Corps continued operations toward St. Vith.
Amblève Valley
The 30th Infantry Division attacked on the right flank of the 7th Armored Division, pushing within four miles of St. Vith with light resistance.
Central Sector
Born–Deidenberg
The 7th Armored Division launched an attack at 08:00 to secure the high ground north of St. Vith. CCA advanced one mile and Task Force W secured Deidenberg. CCB attacked through minefields toward Born, entering the village from the west late in the evening but not completely clearing it.
Cierreux
VII Corps began relieving the 3rd Armored Division from the line, handled by the 4th Cavalry Group. Cierreux was occupied and found clear of the enemy.
Southern Shoulder
Allied Command
Hitler Orders SS Armour to Eastern Front
At 18:55, Hitler ordered the SS armour to shift promptly to the Eastern Front because Soviet forces had broken through German defences in East Prussia. Hitler had warned von Rundstedt on 19 January to prepare for deployment of the entire 6. SS-Panzerarmee to the Eastern Front.
Air Operations Resume
The 9th Air Force dispatched 166 twin-engine bombers against rear area targets including the railway viaduct at Euskirchen and railway yards at Mayen. Thunderbolts and Lightnings appeared over the front, dropping bombs and strafing German positions at St. Vith.